extinguishing

Everyday

1. Putting out a fire or a light so it stops burning: extinguishing the campfire. tree →
2. (formal) Ending or destroying something completely: extinguishing all hope. tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons «extinguishing a fire» is done with water, sand, a fire blanket or a fire extinguisher — but children should get out and call for help instead; in science a fire goes out when it loses heat, fuel or oxygen. Phrases: «extinguishing a fire», «fire extinguisher», «extinguishing the flames».

Examples

• Firefighters spent hours extinguishing the forest fire. tree →
• We were extinguishing the campfire with buckets of water. tree →
• A fire blanket helps in extinguishing a small pan fire. tree →
• Never use water for extinguishing an oil fire. tree →
• Extinguishing the candles, Mum turned on the lights. tree →
• The bad news was extinguishing all our hope. tree →

Note

-ing form of «extinguish». Noun for the tool: fire extinguisher. Formal; in casual talk «putting out». Safety: water on a burning oil pan makes it explode — use a lid or blanket.